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I feel like "CRYING"
Mar 4, 2018 08:55:48   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
I had another night of all kinds of problems to deal with , 1st my collimation feel out when a mirror slipped , then my allen wrench fell in my tube, I had to start all over again. Disconnected all my cables and removed my main camera from the ota took the tube off dumped my allen wrench out and recollimated. All was going good after that until I slewed to Orion and started my sequence, my focuser wouldn't keep my focus . Then my cables to my QHY5ll-m guidecam was pinching the mount ,I moved it out of the way hoping that I didn't have to realign again. I've got to figure this out, cable management is not as easy as it's being portrayed to be. I did get going and ran a set and forget sequence in rgb with the frustration of having to refocus every filter change and then I was in a tree at about 1130est and the moon was starting to really beam . I ran another dark library to replace the one that disappeared when I passed my hand over my touch pad earlier that night{ it just vanished somewhere in my computer} I just want to kick something! Some time during the 1 1/2 hr sequence of darks , the focuser slipped out again and Yes, I felt like kicking something . How many have nights like my last 2 nights in a row, when the sky is awesome : dew point in the low 30's , humidity low , temp cold mid 30's, 5mph wind and not a cloud to be found. I need to catch a break. I'm taking 3 steps forward and 2 steps backwards all Winter. Whom , I going to call , is there a focuserbuster out there. Any ideas as to how to get my focuser to hold the weight without slipping everytime? I've aleady tightened the adjustment tension grub a million times and it'll hold for a lil' while and then start slipping again.

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Mar 4, 2018 13:29:08   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
You have to keep going. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Something we use to do to avoid the dropsies, was to tether any tools we would be using inside any critical equipment like oil filled transformers or the like.
Tie a string on your Allen wrench tightly, tie the other end around your wrist, or to something outside your tube.
A small magnet on a stick can be tried for dropped tools. They make extendable pocket magnets. Again here, tie a string on anything being used in a limited access area (like inside the tube).
Achilles heals will show up in your wiring. Just figure out what you need to do to get around them. Adjust or reroute the offending cable. And run the telescope to it's stops, watching for possible trouble spots.
You'll get there, just keep working at it. Work at the wiring/functioning during the daylight. If you begin to get frustrated then stop, and come back to it another time.
I can't tell you how many times I've woke up with a solution to a problem in my head. Or how often I've figured out a different way sitting in the bathroom.
Just keep working at it.

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Mar 4, 2018 15:22:47   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
I'll tell ya Sonny , your posts always get me chuckling after a night of blundering and equipment failures. Thank buddy for the support.

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Mar 5, 2018 09:01:39   #
bastro
 
I feel your pain! Last night was first in about a month. I set up, aligned and was able to collect a nice set of LHaSIIOIII images. I'll process today.
I was thinking of getting an autofocus, but once I get an initial good focus I haven't seen a need to focus again. Are all your filters the same manufacturer? Using Baader filters all focusing is the same.
Cables are a pain, no doubt about it!
Looking forward to your latest images... keep at it.

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Mar 5, 2018 11:59:42   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
stepping beyond wrote:
I had another night of all kinds of problems to deal with , 1st my collimation feel out when a mirror slipped , then my allen wrench fell in my tube, I had to start all over again. Disconnected all my cables and removed my main camera from the ota took the tube off dumped my allen wrench out and recollimated. All was going good after that until I slewed to Orion and started my sequence, my focuser wouldn't keep my focus . Then my cables to my QHY5ll-m guidecam was pinching the mount ,I moved it out of the way hoping that I didn't have to realign again. I've got to figure this out, cable management is not as easy as it's being portrayed to be. I did get going and ran a set and forget sequence in rgb with the frustration of having to refocus every filter change and then I was in a tree at about 1130est and the moon was starting to really beam . I ran another dark library to replace the one that disappeared when I passed my hand over my touch pad earlier that night{ it just vanished somewhere in my computer} I just want to kick something! Some time during the 1 1/2 hr sequence of darks , the focuser slipped out again and Yes, I felt like kicking something . How many have nights like my last 2 nights in a row, when the sky is awesome : dew point in the low 30's , humidity low , temp cold mid 30's, 5mph wind and not a cloud to be found. I need to catch a break. I'm taking 3 steps forward and 2 steps backwards all Winter. Whom , I going to call , is there a focuserbuster out there. Any ideas as to how to get my focuser to hold the weight without slipping everytime? I've aleady tightened the adjustment tension grub a million times and it'll hold for a lil' while and then start slipping again.
I had another night of all kinds of problems to de... (show quote)


This sounds like a great night out to me....just think of the lessons you learned. Always collimate your OTA when it is horizontal for one. Apparently your focuser cannot support the weight of your camera. There is a tension screw under the bottom of most focusers that you can tighten. This may improve your focuser until you can get it replaced. As for cable management - I have added USB hubs and used velcro to attach to the ota. All of my USB devices plug into this. I also attach three - three way electrical plugs and tape to my tripod leg. After balancing.....I loosen the DEC and RA clutches and swing the mount from horizon to horizon to make sure the cables are secure and not likely to get hooked on something. I swing the mount through a meridian flip just in case. So I have a USB cable that connects to my computer. With the exception of dew heaters which connect to a power tank - everything else plugs into my tripod leg concoction. A power strip doesn't work as my plugs are different sizes and I may only be able to use 3 of the outlets. That is why I chose the three way all connected together. Problem solved.....cheap too. Basically, I use three different kits - I parted with some money and bought moonlight focusers for each with motor control MINI Controllers - V2, besides the Polemaster - those focusers are just awesome and the best values I have added to this hobby. I can sit in the comfort of my home now and control everything (I don't have a rotators thought and doubt I ever will)...and I can program SGP to refocus between filter changes while I snooze! It's money but crap.....I have no other hobbies - so instead of buying guns and hunting stuff, golf clubs and club dues, boats/trailers and fishing stuff - I stay at home with my bride of 50 years and scan the sky to new targets.


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Mar 5, 2018 19:05:43   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
I had a success with my cables after readjusting and running it to the extreme limits, I ended up removing my polar scope "problem solved" for now . I think another will arise when I least expect it ! As for MY 7 port hub and 6 outlet powerstrip with surge protect, each is on a leg and I've got Velcro strips on all the legs in the case I need to move them. Velcro , reuseable Nellie ties and "duck tape" are my best friends. I've got a PO'mans imaging rig and it comes a piece at a time , right now it's my pride and joy . Now we got the "Bitter cold" coming , back to square one.

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Mar 5, 2018 23:04:47   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
stepping beyond wrote:
I had a success with my cables after readjusting and running it to the extreme limits, I ended up removing my polar scope "problem solved" for now . I think another will arise when I least expect it ! As for MY 7 port hub and 6 outlet powerstrip with surge protect, each is on a leg and I've got Velcro strips on all the legs in the case I need to move them. Velcro , reuseable Nellie ties and "duck tape" are my best friends. I've got a PO'mans imaging rig and it comes a piece at a time , right now it's my pride and joy . Now we got the "Bitter cold" coming , back to square one.
I had a success with my cables after readjusting a... (show quote)


There Ya go. Progress, progress, and progress.
I like using sticky backed Velcro from a roll, cut to suit. And Velcro straps.
Once I got some stretchy ones. Waste of money.
Duct tape? No, no, no. I use it for reenforcing cardboard boxes for transporting equipment, or occasionally to close up boxes, but those are open my limits.
Once, out on the road, the window regulator broke on our RV, the drivers window fell much of the way down.
I pushed it back up and tried to wedge it to keep it up. It kept falling down. I stopped to fix it for the umpteeth time and Betty was talking to the Sister-in-law on the phone.
Betty's older brother is a Fifer MaGee. He has tons of crap he hauls around. So Ann (SIL) immediately tells Betty, Duct Tape. Tell him to push it up, then duct tape it in place. It worked. And it held for thousands of miles till we got home and I could get one and replace it. Good old Duct tape saved the day, and me from freezin my butt off.
But it is terribly sticky stuff. Nasty to clean off.
But sticky backed Velcro, and Velcro cinch straps seem to be astronomy's friend.

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Mar 6, 2018 04:34:19   #
Ed Greding Loc: Texas
 
I've had some similar experiences, but done little imaging. Look at it this way: be glad you allen wrench didn't fall on the mirror! - Ed

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Mar 7, 2018 19:02:26   #
stepping beyond Loc: usa eastcoast
 
I was rushing and frustrated , I'm glad they put those stray light rings in my tube . They caught the allen wrench and all is well, I'll not do that again . That could have been expensive Ed but, just think if I didn't replace the phillips screws that used to be there{phillips screwdriver} OH NO !

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